PRESIDENT'S MESSAGE

By Todd Ware, President & Chief Executive Officer

American families expect the lights to stay on at a cost they can afford. But with the demand for electricity skyrocketing and the supply of always-available power sources at risk, the need for common-sense energy policies that bolster reliability and affordability is more critical today than ever.

As an electric provider, The Energy Cooperative is committed to reliably powering our local communities. Beyond routine maintenance and updates that improve the grid's reliability, we work to address our members' needs in other ways. We do this by proactively engaging elected officials to ensure our members are well-represented in Washington, D.C.

Legislative Conference

In April, hundreds of electric cooperative leaders from across the country, including Ohio, will travel to Washington, D.C., for the National Rural Electric Cooperative Association's (NRECA) Legislative Conference. Your cooperative will be well-represented, with Nelson Smith, Board Chairman, myself and Josh Filler, VP and COO of our electric division, attending.

Elected Officials

As we meet with elected officials on Capitol Hill, we will discuss key energy issues and priorities that impact you as our members. One of our main focuses will be on telling our story of how electric cooperatives in Ohio and across the nation ensure reliable and affordable power for our communities through a diverse supply of energy resources to meet the growing electric demand.

Members Of Congress

As we meet with members of Congress, we will detail the need to improve environmental permitting processes and cut costly and burdensome regulations–like the EPA Power Plant Rule–to accelerate the deployment and maintenance of essential electric infrastructure. We will highlight the importance of federal hydropower resources and the need to pass legislation to facilitate cooperative vegetation management efforts and reduce wildfire risks.

While much work is needed, we are encouraged to see President Trump's swift actions to address many of these issues. We look forward to working with the Trump administration and members of Congress to implement a pro-energy agenda that prioritizes reliability and affordability and strengthens our nation's grid.

Electricity is essential and underpins nearly every aspect of modern life. Understanding today's evolving energy landscape is vital as it shapes how electricity is produced, delivered and consumed.

Advocating for reliable and affordable power for The Energy Cooperative members is critical to our commitment to you. We look forward to meeting with Ohio's members of Congress in April to discuss the essential issues of energy that impact us here at home.